Celeb chef Garten 'can't meet cancer patient'

TMZ reports that the Barefoot Contessa host was approached by the Make-A-Wish Foundation in 2008 on behalf of the then 3-year-old Enzo, who had been diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and used to watch Garten's show with his mother.

Garten is said to have refused the meeting at the time, citing a scheduling conflict with a book tour she was on. However, the organization approached her again this year and received another refusal.

"From time to time, planning for wishes doesn't turn out as originally envisioned, despite people's best intentions and efforts throughout the wish-granting process," a spokesman for Make-A-Wish told the website.

Garten's rep also issued a statement, explaining: "Despite her demanding schedule, [Ina] participates and helps as many organisations as she can throughout the year, helping children and adults like Enzo with life-threatening and compromising illnesses.

"Unfortunately, as much as she would like to, it's absolutely impossible for her to grant every request she receives."